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DEVELOPING: The Rays dropped the home half of their spring split-squad openers, losing to the Pirates 3-2.

Though they didn't hit much, they certainlu pitched well.

Both Roberto Hernandez and Jeff Niemann, the two competitors for the fifth starter's job, had 1-2-3 innings.

Also sharp was closer Fernando Rodney, who is getting ready early to compete in the World Baseball Classic and struck out the side on 10 pitches. He then shot what he called a spring training arrow, working up toward his "more exciting" regular season form.

Prospect OF Wil Myers said he was a little nervous before his debut, grounding out and walking.

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The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the 2015 season with Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and plenty of new faces, including manager Kevin Cash. Can they upend the Orioles in the highly competitive AL East? Come here to follow Rays news at Tropicana Field and beyond.